The Miocene vertebrate-bearing deposits of Scontrone (Abruzzo, Central Italy): Stratigraphic and paleoenvironmental analysis.

The Miocene carbonate deposits of Scontrone (Abruzzo, Central Italy) are well known among palaeontologists because of their fossil vertebrate content that exhibits striking similarities to those of the remarkable ‘‘Terre Rosse’’ faunal complex of the Gargano region, defining the existence of the Miocene Central Mediterranean Apulia paleobioprovince. The main goal of this paper is to establish the age and environment of the Scontrone vertebrate bonebeds. The vertebrate remains are embedded in the basal portion of the Lithothamnion Limestone, a widespread carbonate-ramp lithosome representative of the Tortonian-early Messinian transgression over the entire Apulia Platform. The bonebeds belong to marginal-marine deposits (here called ‘‘Scontrone calcarenites’’) preserved in a small area below transgressive ravinement surfaces. The rapid vertical and lateral facies variations displayed by the ‘‘Scontrone calcarenites’’, together with paleoenvironmental considerations deriving from the vertebrate association, document a complex wave-dominated river-mouth depositional setting developed over a large, flat and semi-arid carbonate ramp. The ‘‘Scontrone calcarenites’’ have been split herein into five facies associations representing the stratigraphic response to a discontinuous or punctuated transgression within an overall rise of the relative sea level. Because of the absence of age-diagnostic fossils, the age of the ‘‘Scontrone calcarenites’’ cannot be directly defined through their paleontological content. However, a regional stratigraphic correlation between the Lithothamnion Limestone of Scontrone and the Lithothamnion Limestone of northern Majella, which is biostratigraphically well constrained, allows the attribution of the ‘‘Scontrone calcarenites’’ to the Tortonian

Thoracic epidural anaesthesia for major abdominal surgeries: experience in private hospital setting in Uyo, South-South Nigeria

Background: Thoracic epidural anaesthesia (TEA) has many benefits over general anaesthesia in major abdominal surgeries including avoidance of endotracheal intubation.Aims: To evaluate the feasibility of TEA for major abdominal surgeries in the private hospital setting. Patients and methods: This was a retrospective study of all major abdominal surgeries performed under TEA in two private hospitals in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria over a two-year period. All thoracic epidural anaesthesia was performed under aseptic conditions at the T8/9, T9/10, or T10/11 interspinous space using a size 18G Tuohy epidural needle and catheter inserted as appropriate. A test dose of 3 ml of 1% lidocaine with adrenaline was used in all patients, after which a loading dose of 10–15 ml of 2% lidocaine with adrenaline was injected at 5 ml every 5 minutes till a block height of approximately T4–L1 was obtained. Anaesthesia was maintained with 5 ml of 2% lidocaine with adrenaline every 45 minutes till the end of surgery. The operative condition was assessed on the basis of sedation and analgesic requirement, as well as response to mesenteric traction. The pulse rate, blood pressure and oxygen saturation were monitored throughout the procedure and recorded. Data were obtained from the patients’ folders and operation register. Information obtained included: age, gender, ASA status, diagnosis and type of surgery performed. Data analysis was performed using SPSS®, version 16.Results: Twelve patients underwent major abdominal surgeries under TEA. The mean age (range) was 49.58 (20–78) years, with a male to female ratio of 1:1.4. TEA was adequate in 10 (83.3%) patients, while two (16.7%) patients developed total spinal anaesthesia and were successfully resuscitated and their surgeries completed under general endotracheal anaesthesia.Conclusion: TEA for major abdominal surgeries is feasible. However, careful patient selection, a meticulous approach and preparation for resuscitation is required to prevent and manage complications.Keywords: major abdominal surgeries, private hospital, thoracic epidural anaesthesi

Clinical application of three-dimensional echocardiographic laser stereolithography: Effect of leaflet funnel geometry on the coefficient of orifice contraction, pressure loss and the Gorlin formula in aortic stenosis

International audienc

Estudo preliminar da influência da concentração de SO2 no controle do escurecimento enzímico da banana passa

Two investigations were conducted to find ways to control enzymic browning in the elaboration of banana figs. Bananas were treated with SO2 by immersion in a solution of potassium metabisulfite of which were studied concentration, temperature, pH and time of immersion as well as the resting time of the fruits, after the treatments. The results showed that the best treatment was to dip the fruits for 10 minutes in the 2% solution at 40°C, and pH 2,9. Resting before drying did not improve the products. The shelf life of the products, with the best treatment reached 3 months, with commonly used celophane wraping. Preliminary tests, pre-heating before immersing the fruits showed the possibility of improving the penetration of SO2 and so the enzymic browning control.Dois ensaios foram realizados com o objetivo de estudar meios de controle do escurecimento enzímico na elaboração de banana passa. Bananas foram tratadas com SO2 através da sua imersão em solução de metabisulfito de potássio. As variáveis estudadas foram: concentração, temperatura e pH da solução, tempo de imersão dos frutos e tempo de descanso dos frutos após os tratamentos. Os resultados mostraram que o melhor tratamento consistiu na imersão por 10 minutos das bananas em solução de metabisulfito de potássio a 2%, aquecida a 40°C e com pH 2,9. O descanso dos frutos antes da desidratação não melhorou os produtos e portanto foi abandonado. A vida comercial dos produtos obtidos com este tratamento atingiu a 3 meses, com as embalagens comuns utilizadas. Testes preliminares com pré-aquecimento das amostras antes da imersão indicaram a possibilidade de melhorar ainda mais a qualidade dos produtos

Consequences of False-Positive Screening Mammograms

False-positive mammograms, a common occurrence in breast cancer screening programs, represent a potential screening harm that is currently being evaluated by the United States Preventive Services Task Force

Persistent interaction patterns across social media platforms and over time

Growing concern surrounds the impact of social media platforms on public discourse1–4 and their influence on social dynamics5–9, especially in the context of toxicity10–12. Here, to better understand these phenomena, we use a comparative approach to isolate human behavioural patterns across multiple social media platforms. In particular, we analyse conversations in different online communities, focusing on identifying consistent patterns of toxic content. Drawing from an extensive dataset that spans eight platforms over 34 years—from Usenet to contemporary social media—our findings show consistent conversation patterns and user behaviour, irrespective of the platform, topic or time. Notably, although long conversations consistently exhibit higher toxicity, toxic language does not invariably discourage people from participating in a conversation, and toxicity does not necessarily escalate as discussions evolve. Our analysis suggests that debates and contrasting sentiments among users significantly contribute to more intense and hostile discussions. Moreover, the persistence of these patterns across three decades, despite changes in platforms and societal norms, underscores the pivotal role of human behaviour in shaping online discourse

From community to assemblage? : ICT provides a site for inclusion and exclusion in the global south

The role of information and communication technology (ICT) in development has been discussed from two distinctly different perspectives: some view it as a means for opening new alleys for the facilitation of development and democracy, while others assess it as counterproductive. Furthermore, it has been emphasised that people in cities and rural areas utilise ICT in different ways, as do people with wealth and education compared to poor people. In Africa, Kenya has declared itself an ICT hub. The state has emphasised ICT in promoting services, much less freedom of expression. This article discusses ICT and development via the filter of assemblage, a key concept developed by Deleuze and Guattari (2004/1980. A Thousand Plateaus: Capitalism and Schizophrenia. London: Continuum.). They emphasised fluidity as well as micro- and macro-level dichotomies. When communities based on sharing and consistent social order meet new technology, the change goes deeper than that of improved services. The basic difference might be the fact that a community is constructed on cultural ties developed over time, which strengthens immobility and stability, while an assemblage is characterised by mobility and fluidity. Thus, a system of values, hierarchies, and inherited traditions is challenged, mixed with ‘new’ problems brought about by individualised behaviour.Peer reviewe

Alien Registration- Chase, Etta G. (Limestone, Aroostook County)

https://digitalmaine.com/alien_docs/35248/thumbnail.jp